US Dollar Holds Firm as Fed Outlook and Iran Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm After U.S. Inflation Data 
Trump Imposes New US Tariffs on Drone Imports Over National Security Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rise as AI Chip Rally Lifts South Korea, Japan 
Iran War Escalates as US, Houthis Target Ships Near Key Oil Routes 
European Stocks Rise as U.S. Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Strait of Hormuz Shipping Near Standstill After New Vessel Attacks 
France Inflation Rises 2.4% in July as Consumer Prices Increase 
Oil Prices Fall as U.S. Crude Inventories Surge and Hormuz Tensions Persist 
US Dollar Slips as Weak Retail Sales Reduce Fed Rate Hike Bets 
UK Economy Posts Surprise June Growth as World Cup and Hot Weather Lift Activity 
KOSPI Eyes Best Weekly Gain Since June as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally 
Oil Prices Slide as OPEC, IEA Cut 2026 Demand Forecasts 
S&P 500 Retreats From Record High as AI Stocks Slide, Retail Sales Disappoint 
Gold Prices Retreat From Two-Month High as Softer Inflation Eases Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Soft US Inflation Weighs on Dollar 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
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European stock markets traded higher on Wednesday as investors anticipated more corporate earnings. Germany’s DAX climbed 0.7%, while the UK’s FTSE 100 and France’s CAC 40 gained 0.2% each.
Global debt surged by $7 trillion in 2024, hitting a record $318 trillion, according to the Institute of International Finance (IIF). The global debt-to-GDP ratio jumped to 330%, marking the first annual increase since the pandemic. The IIF expects debt growth to slow in early 2025 due to high borrowing costs.
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) reported a sharp 70% drop in net profit for 2024, plunging to €5.5 billion from €18.6 billion in 2023. The automaker, which owns brands like Jeep, Dodge, and Peugeot (OTC: PUGOY), is implementing cost-cutting measures to improve profitability.
Meanwhile, Deutsche Telekom (OTC: DTEGY) exceeded its 2024 financial targets, reporting a 3.4% rise in revenue to €115.8 billion and a 6.2% jump in adjusted EBITDA AL to €43 billion. Free cash flow AL soared 18.7% to €19.2 billion, while adjusted net profit increased 18.3% to €9.4 billion. The company forecasts continued growth in 2025, with adjusted EBITDA AL expected to reach €44.9 billion (+4.5%) and free cash flow AL to rise 4% to €19.9 billion.
Anheuser-Busch InBev (EBR: ABI) posted record revenue despite volume declines in China and Argentina. Revenue rose 2.7% to $59.77 billion, driven by a 4.3% increase in revenue per hectoliter, while normalized EBITDA climbed 8.2% to $20.96 billion.
Crude oil prices rebounded from two-month lows after U.S. stockpile declines. Brent crude rose 0.3% to $72.69 per barrel, while WTI crude increased 0.3% to $69.14.
